SOUTH Africa’s first openly gay Imam, Muhsin Hendricks, was gunned down in Bethelsdorp, in Gqebera, on the morning he was to officiate in the interfaith weddings of two couples.

His death has sparked widespread condemnation and debate in the Muslim community.

Hendricks, 57, of the Western Cape, was killed on Saturday morning, in Haley Place, moments after he jumped into the backseat of a vehicle. The driver escaped unharmed.

A video of the killing, which has gone viral, showed a gold Volkswagen T-Roc, in which Hendricks was the passenger, being blocked off by a silver Hilux double cab.

A person jumped off the double cab and ran towards the Volkswagen and he opened fire at the back window, killing Hendricks.

Hendricks had studied Classical Arabic and Islamic Studies at the University of Islamic Studies in Karachi, Pakistan, from 1990 to 1994.

In 1996, at the age of 29, he told his mother he was gay.

Hendricks came from an orthodox Muslim family and despite his sexuality, married a woman with whom he had children.

They divorced and Hendricks started a mosque in Wynberg called the Masjid Al Ghurabaa.

He also ran the Al-Ghurbaah Foundation (AGF) to provide support to the LGBTQIA+ community.

Close friend, Faatin Bux, said Hendricks had gone to Gqebera to officiate two weddings between Muslim women and non-Muslim men.

Bux said she was angered by the comments of some Muslims condoning Hendricks’ sdeath because he was gay.

“I am raging against ignorant Muslims in Cape Town who believe they are holier than thou, and above every other religion,” said Bux.

She said there were many people posting hateful messages about Hendricks, and she believed they were “projecting their own insecurities”.

Bux said she had known Hendricks since 2017 and he had officiated at her wedding to her non-Muslim husband a year ago.

“Imam was there for me when I was grappling with a lot in my life. He showed up for me when I married a non-Muslim man one year ago.”

She said Hendricks was the epitome of love and kindness.

“He was a pillar for families, for young people confused about their sexuality, and for people grappling with their faith,” added Bux.

In a statement, the AGF said: “Imam Muhsin was openly queer and dedicated his life to realising an all-inclusive and compassion-centred global Muslim community. As a certified marriage officer, he made himself available to officiate interfaith marriages, in alignment with his principles of equality and religious unity.”

The United Ulama Council of South Africa (UUCSA) said the circumstances surrounding the incident remained unclear. It urged the public to avoid speculation about the motive of Hendricks’s murder, and to allow the law to take its course.

“Islamic teachings and traditions unequivocally prohibit same-sex relationships, an aspect the deceased is known to have been advocating. However, the UUCSA condemns all forms of extrajudicial killings, as they undermine the rule of law and contribute to societal instability,” said Moulana Yusuf Patel, secretary general of the UUCSA.

The Claremont Main Road Masjid (CMRM) condemned Hendericks’s murder.

“We unequivocally condemn this tragic, cowardly and merciless targeted assassination of this Muslim leader within the LGBTQI+ community. We are profoundly shocked and deeply disturbed by this extreme act of violence. At the heart of our faith is the absolute sanctity, reverence and sacredness of human life. Islam teaches that the unjust killing of a single soul is akin to killing all of humanity (Qur’an 5:32).

“No theological dispute, no matter how profound, and no jurisprudential difference, no matter how contested, can ever justify murder. Extrajudicial killings violate every ethical, moral and spiritual principle we uphold,” said the CMRM.

Political activist Zackie Achmat posted on social media: “Muhsin was killed because he was Muslim and gay. His cowardly assassins have not yet shown their faces. They are part of a cult of death and hate. In my view, they are a dangerous minority bent on the destruction of people and institutions they brand as anti-Islam. His executioners are not the majority of Muslims who care about every living being on earth including every human person.

“Muhsin cared for the community of believers because he loved humanity. He opened his heart, studied the Qur’an, Hadith and commentaries to become an Imam for everyone but particularly for the queer community, not only in our country but across the world. Muhsin fought for the rights of queer Muslims to a family life, marriage and to be full citizens in their communities based on the Islamic principles,” said Achmat.

Faisal Sulaiman, president of South African Muslim Network (Samnet), said there was no basis in Islamic law or practice for murder.

“The motive at this stage is purely speculation. There has also been speculation that Hendricks’s killing was by a third force to portray Islam and Muslims in a negative light, and to damage the image and reputation of Islam and Muslims in SA.

“His killing was an act of murder and must be investigated to the full extent of the law. No faith group, including Islam, promotes or condones vigilantism and murder, and irrespective of the motive or who the victim or perpetrator is. Islam considers same-sex acts as a major sin, and just like alcohol consumption, consumption of pork, adultery and gambling, unlawful. But no person is allowed to attack, denigrate or abuse any sinner. We differentiate between sin and sinner. One dislikes the sin, but it’s not for the public to be a judge and jury,” said Suliman.

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The tragic killing of Imam Muhsin Hendricks: a call for justice and understanding